Built between 1723 and 1726 from the design of architect Francesco De Sanctis, the Spanish Steps, or Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, connect the Church of Trinità dei Monti on the slopes of Pincian Hill with the Piazza di Spagna below. The Barcaccia fountain had already been built there in 1626-29 by Pietro Bernini and his son Gianlorenzo. Plans for a stairway to bridge the steep drop between the hill and the square were first documented in the second half of the 16th century. In 1660, aided by a financial legacy from the French representative in Rome Stephan Gueffier and the intervention of Cardinal Mazarin, several projects were proposed, including one attributed to the circle of Gianlorenzo Bernini that featured an equestrian statue of King Louis XIV. A dispute between the Holy See and France over ownership of the area delayed the competition for the design until Pope Clement XI announced it in 1717. Francesco De Sanctis won the contest, in which Alessandro Specchi, Alessandro Gaulli, and Filippo Juvara also took part. Work began under Pope Innocent XIII and was completed under Benedict XIII in 1726 at a cost of more than 50,000 écus, partly covered by the proceeds of Gueffier's legacy.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: Unknown

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.

Photo: William Fischer, Jr.